“Erasmus Plus”Six students of Marianum school on an educational journey in Estonia

“I enjoy myself with everyone so well, I wish I could stay here,” Magdalena summarizes her impressions from Estonia. She is one of six students of Marianum school who last week traveled with students of the same age from Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Turkey and Estonia in the framework of the Erasmus programme of the European Union in the Baltic country. Specifically to Kadrina, a dreamy 500-souls village, about one hour’s drive from the capital Tallin away. For one week, here the young people from different European countries discussed issues such as training, job search and the situation in the labor market.

Meeting point and place of work is the “KadrinaKeskkool” – a hundred-year-old school, very well maintained, clean, tidy and well equipped with the latest technology, common rooms for students and a cafeteria, where the students through eighth grade receive free and very tasty food. They speak excellent English, not least thanks to the movies and TV shows with subtitles – common in such a tiny country.

In the capital Tallinn the Germans were surprised that all residents travel for free on public transport and there is free internet access throughout. “Even at the bus stop, I was asked to log into wifi” said Lina excited.

When visiting the university city of Tartu, students could do experiments themselves in the Science Museum, while in Rakvereein a guide disguised as a monk of the Teutonic Knights imparted informations about the history of the local castle ruins. Students then visited a “Smart House”, a Zero Energy House equipped with the latest technology.

The impressive journey ended with a closing ceremony, designed and performed by an Estonian folk dance group. Until the next encounter – this time in Portugal – the students just have to wait until May, then the group meets in a slightly different composition again. The new theme “opportunities for political influence by young people” they are already preparing. The three-year project entitled “EU-Topia +” is funded by the European Union, which has set itself the task of promoting contacts among young Europeans.